Craft Brewers Conference 2026

It’s Spring once again, and that means it’s time for the Craft Brewers Conference.

Last year in Indianapolis, the conversations felt focused on running better businesses—echoing what Leah Cheston emphasized in her earlier remarks: that we’re not just in the brewing business anymore, we’re in the hospitality business. That idea continues to resonate as we head into Philadelphia, but the conversation is evolving further.

Today, it’s not just about hospitality—it’s about adaptability. Breweries are navigating changing consumer preferences, new beverage categories, and an increasingly competitive landscape. The question isn’t just how to pour a great pint, but how to build an experience—and a business—that keeps people coming back.

This year’s conference in Philadelphia provides the perfect backdrop for that conversation. With its deep brewing history and vibrant modern beer scene, the city reflects both the tradition and innovation that define craft brewing today.

While the keynote speakers always set the tone, it’s often the conversations around them that carry the most weight. Thinking back to the early days of the pandemic and the insights shared by brewers across the country, it’s remarkable to consider how far the industry has come—and how much it continues to evolve. Those lessons in resilience and creativity still shape how many are approaching the future.

On the seminar front, as always, there will be no shortage of opportunities to learn—whether it’s growing and managing your business, exploring new beverage opportunities, or digging into technical and regulatory challenges. These sessions have a way of opening unexpected doors.

You never quite know where a conversation at CBC might lead. A few years ago, I came across the Hop France booth and was introduced to their Export Manager, Francis Heitz. What started as a few follow-up questions turned into a lasting friendship—and even the opportunity for my daughter to visit their operations in Alsace. That’s the magic of this conference: the knowledge gained is invaluable, but it’s the relationships that truly endure.

For me, and for Brewers Digest, CBC remains one of the most important gatherings in the craft brewing world. The networking, the exchange of ideas, and the sense of shared purpose are simply unmatched.

And of course, none of this happens without the vendors, sponsors, and the dedicated team at the Brewers Association who bring it all together year after year.

So as we head into Philadelphia, the message feels a bit different than in years past. It’s not just “start your engines”—it’s “build to last.”

Because in today’s craft beer world, the breweries that adapt, connect, and innovate will be the ones leading the way forward.

We’ll see you in Philadelphia.